The Atlanta Falcons have made a couple of moves.
The Atlanta Falcons are moving through training camp and getting ready for the regular season as they hope to get back on track as a franchise and compete in an NFC South that is very weak.
Most of the attention throughout the first couple weeks has understandably been on the offense and more specifically this quarterback battle between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, but the most significant development was what happened last week to edge rusher Jalon Walker.
Tearing his ACL during a drill towards the end of practice a week ago, Walker is going to miss the season and with James Pearce Jr. set to receive a suspension for an unknown length, edge rusher is a five-alarm fire at the moment. General manager Ian Cunningham addressed that pressing need on Monday with the team signing veteran Cameron Sample.
Additionally, another veteran in running back Trey Sermon has also been added to give the running back room some more depth ahead of the first preseason action on Friday against the Denver Broncos.
Falcons Acquire Cameron Sample, Trey Sermon from Free Agency
Sample, who was released earlier this month by the San Francisco 49ers, played the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and racked 85 tackles with seven sacks largely in a rotational role during that period. The former fourth round selection out of Tulane has a real chance to make the roster to start the season, especially if Pearce is indeed out for an extended period.
Sermon on the other hand has a little bit more of an uphill battle due to the guys who are already in the room. Beyond Bijan Robinson, Atlanta brought in Brian Robinson Jr. and still have Tyler Goodson and Nathan Carter in the room. Over 134 career carries, Sermon has 505 and three touchdowns in stints with four different teams.
Perhaps Kevin Stefanski would prefer a more proven veteran like Sermon over one of Goodson or Carter, however carrying more than four backs is extremely unlikely. Regardless, Sermon becomes a name to watch over the coming weeks and if he can show out in the preseason, he could have a real shot at making the roster.
Cunningham and the front office are making moves they feel improve the roster, and while each new face will have to prove they belong, competition is always good, and this is now what the Falcons have on their hands.
